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The City of Aurora is making cuts to the budget

The City of Aurora is making cuts to the budget

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Budget cuts help city dodge tax hike notice, but at a cost

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City leaders reviewed preliminary budget figures last week reflecting a projected $829,000 decrease from last year’s budget, which City Administrator Adam Darbro said should meet his goal of avoiding a pink postcard hearing though leaving the city with virtually no reserves to handle any type of...
Grow Aviation flight instructor Chayse Gulzow conducts a preflight check of the aircraft with student pilot Aliah Starr of Grand Island.

Grow Aviation flight instructor Chayse Gulzow conducts a preflight check of the aircraft with student pilot Aliah Starr of Grand Island.

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Flight school soars to new heights

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
A flight training school launched in Aurora in 2021 has really taken off over the past year.
Chamber Director Tamar Jimenez reported to the Aurora City Council last week

Chamber Director Tamar Jimenez reported to the Aurora City Council last week

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Chamber receives funding from city

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce requested and received $7,500 in annual funding from the city last week, giving newly hired executive director Tamar Jimenez an opportunity to talk about some of the projects and ideas she is working on to support the business community.
Work has been completed on cleaning up the site of the former Gambles building.

Work has been completed on cleaning up the site of the former Gambles building.

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News Staff
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Work to clear the Gambles building site of bricks and debris after last month’s demolition was completed this week, with the basement filled in and compacted with dirt. Aurora City Administrator Adam Darbro said the project cost approximately $325,000.
Pictured from left during a brief awards ceremony Aug. 11 are Jay Staehr, Cody Hoegh and Chad Carlson. Staehr received the Lifesaver Award from Emergency Health Systems of Nebraska for his quick action, which was credited for saving Hoegh’s life during a Feb. 5 heart attack at the school. Staehr and Carlson were also recognized by the Nebraska State Association of Athletic Trainers for their heroic actions.

Pictured from left during a brief awards ceremony Aug. 11 are Jay Staehr, Cody Hoegh and Chad Carlson. Staehr received the Lifesaver Award from Emergency Health Systems of Nebraska for his quick action, which was credited for saving Hoegh’s life during a Feb. 5 heart attack at the school. Staehr and Carlson were also recognized by the Nebraska State Association of Athletic Trainers for their heroic actions.

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‘Flawless’ response saves Hoegh from widow-maker heart attack

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Reaction to a medical emergency Feb. 5 which was later described as “flawless” is credited for saving the life of 41-year-old Cody Hoegh, who survived a “widow maker” heart attack that day and is counting his blessings, in more ways than one.
Former Aurora resident Angela Garfinkel has published her first children’s book, “Annabelle’s Paintbrush.” The book features Annabelle finding different items to use as a paintbrush with the story told in watercolor paintings created by Garfinkel.

Former Aurora resident Angela Garfinkel has published her first children’s book, “Annabelle’s Paintbrush.” The book features Annabelle finding different items to use as a paintbrush with the story told in watercolor paintings created by Garfinkel.

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Painting, grandchildren inspire Garfinkel book

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Combining a love for watercolor painting and for spending quality time with her grandchildren, former Aurora resident Angela Garfinkel has recently published her first children’s book, written and illustrated by herself. Among the first to receive copies of the book were her eight grandchildren.
Tuesday I-80 crash takes a life

Tuesday I-80 crash takes a life

Hastings man dies in rollover near Aurora

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
A rollover accident on I-80 near Aurora took the life of a Hastings man early Tuesday afternoon. Calls began coming into the Hamilton County 911 Dispatch Center at about 1 p.m. Tuesday from other drivers who had witnessed the crash in the eastbound lane near mile marker 336.
News-Register/Elizabeth Hunter The Aurora Aquatic Facility had a daily average of 295 swimmers throughout the summer with Friday, June 20 being their highest attendance with 558 patrons.

News-Register/Elizabeth Hunter The Aurora Aquatic Facility had a daily average of 295 swimmers throughout the summer with Friday, June 20 being their highest attendance with 558 patrons.

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Pool season ends with strong turnout

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
The Aurora Aquatic Facility closed its 2025 season with a average daily attendance of 295.In its entire season, the pool was only closed for two days due to weather.“We had a great year,” said Eleanor Cerveny, co-manager of AAF.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

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Commission chooses Husker colors for new Extension headquarters bldg

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Cornhusker red is the color chosen by the Hamilton County Commission for the new Extension headquarters building at the county fairgrounds. At its regular Monday meeting this week, the board chose the color scheme for the 50 by 100-foot steel building.
For 60 years, Harold Oretegren (right) has been farming Shorty Hahn’s land, one mile west of Hordville. The relationship began with a handshake in 1960.

For 60 years, Harold Oretegren (right) has been farming Shorty Hahn’s land, one mile west of Hordville. The relationship began with a handshake in 1960.

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60-year partnership built on handshake

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Over the more than six decades of the farming partership D.L. “Shorty” Hahn, 97, and Harold Ortegren, 81, there has never been a written agreement between them.